Celtic will come up towards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AC Milan in a tricky Europa League group whereas Rangers will face one other former European Cup winner in Benfica and Friday’s draw additionally positioned Arsenal in the identical part because the Irish champions Dundalk. Celtic have been within the first pot of seeds for the draw after scraping previous Bosnian aspect Sarajevo away within the play-offs on Thursday, however they might scarcely have requested for a harder draw than that handed to them in Group H.
In addition to Milan, Neil Lennon’s aspect will tackle Czech Cup winners Sparta Prague and French membership Lille, who certified routinely for the group stage after ending fourth in Ligue 1.
Milan, the seven-time European champions, certified by successful 9-Eight on penalties away to Rio Ave in Portugal on Thursday after being rescued by a Hakan Calhanoglu spot-kick proper on the finish of additional time.
The Scottish champions and Milan final met within the Champions League group stage in 2013/14. Additionally they confronted off a number of instances in that competitors within the earlier decade together with in 2006/07, when the Italians narrowly received their last-16 tie en path to successful the trophy.
Rangers’ reward for ousting Turkish giants Galatasaray within the play-offs and qualifying for the group stage for the third season working was a spot in Group D with Benfica, Normal Liege of Belgium and Lech Poznan of Poland.
Steven Gerrard’s aspect might fancy their possibilities of reaching the knockout part once more, after shedding to Bayer Leverkusen within the final 16 final season.
There have been fewer glamour ties for England’s representatives however all shall be anticipated to progress.
Arsenal will play three groups who dropped out of the Champions League qualifiers in Speedy Vienna, Norwegian champions Molde, and Dundalk of Eire.
It’s Dundalk’s second look within the group stage in 5 seasons and the Arsenal conflict particularly shall be a glamour tie for them.
They may hope their followers can attend the match, with UEFA asserting on Thursday that they are going to enable spectators again at a most of 30 p.c of capability.
Nonetheless, the loosening of restrictions is topic to nationwide authorities giving the inexperienced gentle.
Leicester Metropolis will play Braga, AEK Athens and Zorya Luhansk of Ukraine in Group G, whereas Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur have been positioned in Group J alongside Bulgarian champions Ludogorets, LASK of Austria and Belgian Cup winners Antwerp.
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Spurs have already travelled to Bulgaria within the competitors this season, beating Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2-1 away within the second qualifying spherical final month.
The primary spherical of group video games shall be performed on October 22. This season’s last is scheduled to be performed in Gdansk, Poland on Might 26.
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